It has always been very hard for Mdm Saleha (not her real name), a young mother of three children aged 5, 10 and 11 years old. As the sole-breadwinner of the family, she has to juggle work and play the roles of a mother and father for her children. Her husband is currently serving a prison sentence.
Even with a proper education, Mdm Saleha did not work when her husband was still around as her husband preferred her to stay at home and take care of their children. Their life was good then.
When she was left all alone to support the family, Mdm Saleha had no choice but to find a job. She has to leave her children under her parents' care when she was working. The family's misfortune had caused Saleha to experience distress.
When Saleha was introduced to AIN Society through an empowerment programme, she noticed changes in herself. "Now I no longer feel depressed as I used to feel before. The support group programmes I attended at Ain Society have increased my confidence. The friends I meet here helped me to regain my confidence and it motivates me to push myself further".
Through the empowerment programme, Mdm Saleha completed a customer service course, and was promoted from temporary to permanent retail staff immediately. Her employer has also mentioned that they are going to offer her a position as an admin assistant after she undergoes training.
Mdm Saleha is determined that she will excel in her job, with or without her husband's presence. The self confidence that she has regained motivates her to take up other skills too. She is currently taking up a Class 3 driving license so she will be able to redo her catering business. "I did catering business before, on a small scale though. Now that I have regained this confidence, I am working towards expanding and turning it into a family business".
